More than 100 persons came to World Harmony Day, February 2, to hear speakers and music from six traditions: Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Islamic and Native American.
Chris Foley, the new president/CED of InterFaith Works, the sponsoring organization, opened the event saying, “We don’t have to agree on everything but we do agree on loving our neighbors.”
He said CNY’s diversity is its strength. “Harmony doesn’t happen automatically, it’s built relationship by relationship. It’s the result of courageous work and honoring one’s differences.” He ended with “let the unfamiliar be a window, not a door.”
WTB’s Danya Wellmon (middle picture above) was one of three persons who organized the event, held in Liverpool at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. WTB provided refreshments after the event. Danya brought the idea of having such an interfaith event after attending the very first World Interfaith Harmony event at the United Nations in 2010. This was the 10th such event in metro Syracuse.
The audience heard Quaker woman tell of her spiritual journey, a song by a Baptist woman, a story from two Buddhist women, a hymn played on the cello by a youth, a moral story from a Jewish man, a memorized recitation of the Quran with an English translation from two Muslim teens, a prayer spoken accompanied with singing bowls by a Unity Church member, and songs and drums from Onondaga women.
Other quotes:
A Buddhist woman who went on a pilgrimage and expected to see Buddhist sites but to sites of various religions: “‘Why,’ I asked the leader, ‘do we go to all these sacred sites of other religions?’ He said ‘I want my students to have the blessings of all the traditions.'”
Hindu woman: “Treat each day as if this is the only day you have.” “See the divinity in everyone.”